Tesla Recalls Nearly 4,000 Cybertrucks Over Accelerator Pedal Issue

Tesla has issued a recall for 3,878 of its Cybertruck electric pickup trucks because of a problem with the accelerator pedal that could cause it to become stuck, leading to unintended acceleration and increasing the risk of a crash. The recall, announced by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), affects all Cybertruck vehicles manufactured from November 13, 2023 to April 4, 2024.

According to the NHTSA report, the issue is caused by residual lubricant used during the manufacturing process, which can allow the accelerator pedal pad to dislodge and become trapped in the interior trim. Tesla first received notice of an accelerator pedal incident from a customer on March 31, and then a second complaint on April 3. After testing, the company determined that an unapproved change incorporated the lubricant soap during component assembly, reducing the retention of the pad to the pedal.

Why this matters: The recall comes amidst a series of challenges for Tesla, including layoffs, declining car deliveries, and a drop in stock price. It also raises ongoing concerns about quality control issues with the highly anticipated Cybertruck, which went on the market late last year after a two-year delay.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk acknowledged the pedal issue, stating that there have been no injuries or accidents related to the problem. "We're just being very cautious," Musk said. The company has assured customers that if the pedal issue occurs while driving, the brake pedal will cut drive torque and continued application of the brakes will bring the vehicle to a stop.

To address the problem, Tesla will replace or rework the accelerator pedal assembly on all affected Cybertrucks at no charge to owners. The company has also started building new Cybertrucks with a revised accelerator pedal design to prevent the issue from occurring in future vehicles. Tesla will begin notifying Cybertruck owners about the recall by mail in June.

The accelerator pedal recall is not the first issue to plague the Cybertruck's rollout. Earlier this year, Tesla had to recall the software on all its vehicles, including the Cybertruck, due to small font sizes on warning lights. Musk had previously estimated it would take 12 to 18 months for Tesla to reach high-volume production of the Cybertruck, with an annualized rate of 250,000 pickups not expected until sometime in 2025.

The recall provided the first glimpse of how many Cybertrucks had been sold since Musk handed over the initial pickups to customers in November 2023. Tesla had not previously broken out delivery numbers for the Cybertruck model. Despite the setback, Musk expressed confidence in the Cybertruck's future, calling it a "game-changing" vehicle in the electric market. Tesla is working to quickly resolve the accelerator pedal issue and get production of the pioneering pickup truck back on track.

Key Takeaways

• Tesla recalls 3,878 Cybertrucks due to accelerator pedal issue.
• Pedal can dislodge and get trapped, causing unintended acceleration.
• Recall amid Tesla's challenges: layoffs, declining deliveries, stock drop.
• Tesla to replace/rework pedals, build new Cybertrucks with revised design.
• Cybertruck rollout plagued by issues, production ramp-up delayed.